Community responds, Cicero girl receives service dog

Provided photoGracie D'Alberto, of Cicero, and her service dog Frankie, a black Labrador retriever.

Cicero, NY -- An 8-year-old Cicero girl who can’t walk or talk is getting around easier this summer by the help of a service dog that the community helped her family to purchase.

Gracie D’Alberto has severe developmental disabilities and doctors suggested that a service dog would help her in her daily activities. Gracie’s parents set out last fall to raise $13,000 to get her a service dog from 4 Paws For Ability in Ohio. The community responded and in May, Gracie met Frankie, a black Labrador retriever.

“Frankie is her best friend now,” said Gracie’s mother, Bethany D’Alberto. “We couldn’t have done this without the support of the community.”

Gracie has seen dozens of specialists, but doctors have not been able to diagnose her condition. She is followed by the National Institutes of Health Center for Rare Diseases.

“She is an amazing, beautiful child and we do anything we can to make her life brighter,” her mother said.

Bethany D’Alberto said she has seen improvements in her daughter in the last month.